Abstract
What is already known about this topic? Targeted testing for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in emergency departments (EDs) has been demonstrated to be a high-yield and effective intervention for identifying previously unrecognized infections, especially among persons born during 1945–1965. What is added by this report? Opt-out, universal HCV screening in EDs identified that nearly half (47.5%) of infections were among persons born after 1965. What are the implications for public health practice? Opt-out, universal screening in EDs can identify a larger number of previously unrecognized HCV infections, especially among persons born after 1965. ED-based opt-out, universal hepatitis C screening can be vital in combating and surveilling the interrelated epidemics of opioid overdose and bloodborne viral infections through harm-reduction interventions and navigation to HCV treatment.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 569-574 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report |
Volume | 69 |
Issue number | 19 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 15 2020 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Epidemiology
- Health(social science)
- Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
- Health Information Management